Frank Darraj, 90, of OKC passed from this life on September 3, 2020 with his loving family by his side. Services have been entrusted to the care of Advantage Funeral Service and a celebration of Frank’s life will be held at 10AM on Wednesday, September 9, 2020 at the Advantage Funeral Service Chapel at 7720 S. Pennsylvania in OKC. A graveside service will follow at Red Star Cemetery near Leedey, OK at 3pm Wednesday. Services will be livestreamed on the funeral home facebook page at: facebook.com/advantageokc/ . A video of Frank’s celebration of life will also be available following the service at the previously mentioned link.
Frank was born on July 3, 1930 in Taybeh, Palestine to Abdallah and Saida Darraj. He attended Friends Boys' School in Ramallah and following his graduation, Frank spent several years teaching math and science. In the 1960’s he relocated to Germany where he attended the University of Oldenburg. While in Germany, Frank met and married Else Ehnts and they had two wonderful daughters: Katie in 1971 and Sandra in 1973. In 1976, the family moved to the United States and Frank took a job at a carpet factory in Dalton, GA. Several years later, he was laid off and decided to attend the University of Tennessee to obtain a Master’s Degree in Chemistry, graduating in 1988.
In 1990, Frank moved from Chattanooga, TN to Long Beach, CA where he retired. In the mid 1990’s he relocated to OKC. In 1996, Frank met the love of his life Diane Scholl and two years later they were married. They spent 22 wonderful years together. Frank had a profound love for teaching. The Bush Administration’s “No Child Left Behind” initiative allowed Frank the opportunity to teach again, this time as a math and English tutor. He continued to enrich the lives of the students he tutored into his late 70’s.
Frank was a Master Gardener who enjoyed spending time in his yard. He also loved reading and could spend hours at the bookstore finding his next favorite book. He was a lifelong student who oftentimes worked a full-time job to support his family while also carrying a full-time schedule as a student. He even managed to earn a degree as a Registered Medical Assistant, an accomplishment he was quite proud of completing.
Frank’s faith was important to him and he was a long-time member of Trinity Lutheran Church in OKC. Frank was happiest when he was surrounded by his loving family and he was exceptionally proud that both of his daughters became doctors. Frank was a loyal husband, a loving father, a proud grandfather, a caring brother, a selfless educator, and a trusted friend. He will truly be missed by those who knew and loved him.
Frank was preceded in death by his parents, Abdallah and Saida Darraj; and three siblings: Hilwa Khourieh, George Darraj, and Ned Pacer. He is survived by his wife and best friend Diane Scholl; two daughters: Dr. Katie Darraj and husband David Brown and Dr. Sandra Elze and husband Michael; three step-children: Trista Wilson and husband James; Scott Green and wife Amanda, and Eric Scholl; 15 grandchildren: Christopher and Benjamin Brown, Leonie and Florian Elze, Haley Campbell and husband Tyrell, Summer Owens, Thomas Gouard, Hunter Wilson, Zach and Ant Potter, Bennett, Hudson, Alex, Ally, and Andi Green; two great grandchildren: Carter Owens and Avery Campbell; siblings: Joyce Ankar and husband Sam, Jimmy Darraj and wife Maggie, Sam Darraj and wife Evonne, Nahum Darraj, and Hanna Darraj and wife Lulu; as well as numerous other beloved family members and friends.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18